Tag: Jaquan Brisker

Jaquan Brisker organizing offseason workout with Bears secondary

Matt Eberflus says Jaquan Brisker is orchestrating a workout with the Bears defense in California.

It’s common practice for NFL players to enjoy the extended time off following yet another physically taxing season.

They’ll often make sure they stay in shape by participating in individual workouts before reporting to their team’s headquarters for the start of the offseason program in April and voluntary OTAs in May, taking their first step toward getting ready for the next season.

Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker didn’t want to wait that long. Brisker invited the entire secondary to work out with him in California, with head coach Matt Eberflus saying the safety is getting everyone together “as we speak.”

Eberflus also noted that he’s excited for longtime Titans safety Kevin Byard to join the defense this year — a unit that many project to be one of the NFL’s more formidable squads next season.

The players, coaches and front office are saying and doing all the right things this offseason. General manager Ryan Poles had made several smart and integral offseason signing and brought a decisive end to the Justin Fields-Caleb Williams debate, sending him to Pittsburgh; Eberflus is beginning to win the favor of the fans by being so involved in several pivotal moves in the last couple of months, and locker room leaders like Brisker are making the extra effort to build chemistry and allow new guys, like Byard, to get extra time with his new teammates.

It’s been a productive offseason so far, with even more firepower coming in the NFL draft in just under a month.

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Bears signing former All-Pro S Kevin Byard to 2-year deal

According to CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson, the Bears are signing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.

The Chicago Bears are signing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard to a 2-year deal, according to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports, after visiting the team a day earlier. The deal is worth $15 million.

Byard is a nine-year veteran who burst onto the scene with the Tennessee Titans and became one of the league’s best safeties during the end of the 2010s and early 2020s.

Byard was drafted by the Titans in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft and exploded during his second season when he had eight interceptions, which led to him earning All-Pro honors. He continued to be one of the better safeties in the game, totaling 27 interceptions in eight seasons. Last year, Byard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in hopes of boosting their injury-depleted secondary. He combined for just one interception and three pass breakups to go along with 122 total tackles in 2023.

Now, Byard joins the Bears and takes over for Eddie Jackson, who was released last month. He is set to play next to Jaquan Brisker, giving Chicago another veteran defensive back to round out their secondary.

Eddie Jackson hints his Bears future is in doubt

Bears safety Eddie Jackson shared a few cryptic posts on social media suggesting his time in Chicago is coming to an end.

One of the longest-tenured Chicago Bears players might have played his final game in the navy and orange.

Safety Eddie Jackson took to social media on Thursday night and shared a few cryptic messages. He posted a few emojis on his Twitter/X account before adding a new message saying “New Beginnings.”

It was Jackson’s first post in over two months.

https://twitter.com/BoJack4/status/1755820348308664705

Shortly after, Jackson posted a story on his Instagram with a black screen and a caption that reads “All love Chi Town.”

It goes without saying that this is all speculation, but Jackson’s future with the Bears was always going to be murky heading into this offseason. He’s set to have a cap hit of over $18 million, the third-most on the team, heading into the final year of his deal. The Bears can cut Jackson and save $12.5 million. Given his injury issues the last couple years, as well as his play dipping once again in 2023, the writing seems to be on the wall for Jackson, and it sounds like he knows that too.

Jackson was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Alabama and burst onto the scene early in his career. He had 11 takeaways during his first two seasons and scored five defensive touchdowns during that time. Jackson earned two Pro Bowl nods and was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018.

His production dropped significantly beginning in 2020, and he never returned to those same heights, even while having a renaissance season in 2022 with four interceptions, before suffering a season-ending foot injury. Jackson is the second-longest tenured Bear behind Cody Whitehair and is the last member of the elite 2018 defense.

At the end of the season, Jackson spoke about his future and expressed his desire to remain a Bear. “I hope I’m here next year, but God always has a plan,” Jackson said via Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune. “So I feel like I’ll always land on my feet. I hope it’s here. I know how it works in the business. I wish I could be here my whole entire career, but we know how this thing works. So you have to live in the moment.”

At his year-end press conference, general manager Ryan Poles admitted Jackson’s injuries impacted his play, but offered some praise for him, citing his communication skills and chemistry with Jaquan Brisker. “When Eddie was in you could tell Brisker felt really, really comfortable. That whole group, he really impacts the communication. You can really see that,” Poles said.

It’s possible Jackson’s recent social media activity is unrelated to his Chicago future, but it feels pretty calculated. His days in a Bears uniform are likely over.

Jaquan Brisker wants Justin Fields back: This Bears team ‘could be dangerous’

Jaquan Brisker believes this Bears team is on the cusp on something special, and Justin Fields is a big part of that.

The Chicago Bears have turned a corner during the final stretch of the 2023 season, where they’re playing good football and looking to close out the year with a defining win over the hated Green Bay Packers.

But there are plenty of offseason questions looming, none more important than whether the Bears elect to stick with quarterback Justin Fields or draft a rookie with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Fields’ uncertain future has been a hot topic of conversation for the past several weeks. But Chicago players have made their stance clear: they want Fields back in 2024. For safety Jaquan Brisker, he feels like this team is on the cusp of something special heading into the 2024 season — and Fields is a huge part of that.

“If we keep this group together, it could be dangerous,” Brisker said on the Bernstein & Holmes Show Tuesday. “That atmosphere these last couple home games, it feels like playoff football. It feels like we’re right there. … We want that guy (Fields), and it means the world to us that the fans are standing right behind him.”

Brisker is of course referring to the scene at Soldier Field in last Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, where Fields shined and the fans were chanting “We want Fields,” a clear message to the front office, who could certainly hear it from their box.

Ultimately, the onus is on general manager Ryan Poles to make the decision at quarterback. Does he have conviction to build around Fields? Or is there a quarterback in this draft class, like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye, that he believes can lead this team to a championship.

Strap in, it’s going to be an eventful offseason.

Bears players make it clear they want Justin Fields back in 2024

Justin Fields’ teammates continue to rally around him as the Bears gear up for an important offseason decision.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields faces an uncertain future heading into the final week of his third season.

With Chicago securing the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft — thanks to the Panthers — general manager Ryan Poles has an important decision to make at quarterback this offseason. Stick with Fields or start over with his chosen rookie.

But Bears players once again made it clear they want Fields to be the quarterback moving forward. That includes wide receiver DJ Moore, who’s had a career year with Fields as his QB. And Moore wants to make sure Fields stays with him.

“I’ve said it before I’m going to keep saying it: What makes him not the quarterback?” Moore said. “The Houdini act should’ve put the nail in the– he’s not a running back. He is him… I want him to be the quarterback.”

Defensive end Montez Sweat praised Fields for his rare playmaking ability, something he doesn’t always get credit for.

“He makes plays like Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes but guys don’t really hype it up like they would other quarterbacks bro,” Sweat said. “But he’s one of none. I’m happy he’s on my side.”

Fields shined in what could’ve been his final home game with the Bears, where he accounted for 313 total yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He made the kind of plays that no other quarterback in the NFL can make.

The Soldier Field crowd showered Fields with praise in the form of “We want Fields!” chants, where they made it clear they want him back in 2024. And rest assured Fields and his teammates heard them.

“Of course I heard them,” safety Jaquan Brisker said. “I want Justin. We all want Justin. Let’s go!”

“I did hear those chants,” Moore said. “And I know (the front office’s) box is right there. So I know they heard that stuff, too.”

There’s no doubt Fields has got his teammates’ support, along with the fans. But the decision ultimately comes down to whether Poles believes Fields can lead this team to a championship.

Buckle up, Bears fans, it’s going to be an eventful offseason.

Jaquan Brisker talks ‘growing chemistry’ with Bears secondary

The Bears defense has transformed into one of the NFL’s best, including an ascending secondary filled with young stars.

The Chicago Bears defense has transformed from one of the worst into one of the best in the NFL this season. The addition of star defensive end Montez Sweat has impacted the entire unit, including an ascending secondary filled with young stars.

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, in a contract year, has been having a career year with Chicago. He’s been one of the top cover corners in the league, and he’s also posted a career-high five interceptions. Safety Eddie Jackson has been a strong veteran leader in the group.

Cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker have really come into their own in their second season, along with rookie cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Terell Smith.

Brisker spoke about the unit’s “growing chemistry,” which is starting to flourish in these final games.

“The secondary has been crazy,” Brisker said on the Bernstein & Holmes Show on Tuesday, via Audacy. “We’ve just been getting better and better each and every single day, every single week. Our chemistry is growing. You can just tell that guys are out there healthy, guys are out there flying around, having fun with a lot of great energy, passion. It showing. I can’t wait to get back with those guys.”

It was a rough start to the 2023 season, which included injuries to key starters in the secondary. But the defense has really started to come into its own over the past six games. Chicago has held opponents to 17.2 points, totaled 14 takeaways and 17 sacks. The secondary has stepped up, and they’re really finding their rhythm.

“It’s amazing,” Brisker said. “You know where they’re going to be. You know what communication they’re going to make. And playing with confidence, you don’t have to second-guess yourself. You know they’re going to be there where they’re supposed to be. You trust them. And then those guys, they make plays.

“We all just know we’re going to make plays and fly around. We all are all happy for each other, and we like to make plays.”

Bears aren’t happy about those Justin Fields late hits: ‘Just treat him fair’

Bears QB Justin Fields continues to be the exception to the rule protecting (most) quarterbacks from late hits.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been subjected to some big hits during his three-year career, including plenty of late hits that haven’t been flagged by officials.

That was once again true in Sunday’s game against the Lions — as early as the first play from scrimmage — when Fields ran to his left and slid only to be hit late by linebacker Jack Campbell. And, as Bears fans would correctly guess, there was no flag thrown.

Head coach Matt Eberflus, and Fields himself, pleaded with officials for a flag for the late hit, but they didn’t get it — not for that first hit or any of the others Fields took during the game.

“I’m very active on that,” Eberflus told reporters Monday. “I’m always in (the officials’) ear about that. Because protecting the quarterbacks in this league is big. Those guys are the league. So, it’s important that we do that and we continue to do that. If you have a guy who’s a runner, he slides down like that, we got to protect him. I wasn’t happy about that first one. I let them know about it. It’s just not the right thing to do. We just got to make sure we take care of our quarterbacks.”

Unfortunately, this has developed into a trend where Fields doesn’t receive the same protection other quarterbacks are afforded in the league. While it’s true Fields is a dual-threat quarterback who often finds himself on the run — making him more prone to these late hits — there’s also a clear rule in place about late hits on mobile quarterbacks who give themselves up.

But, for whatever reason, officials don’t seem to think that rule applies to Fields. According to Nicholas Moreano, Fields hasn’t drawn a single unnecessary roughness call all season.

Safety Jaquan Brisker didn’t hold back when asked about the officials’ treatment of Fields — and how those late hits are putting his teammate at risk.

“They should just treat him fair,” Brisker said Monday. “He is a quarterback. I know he’s 230 (pounds) and he’s running a 4.3, but it doesn’t really matter. He’s a quarterback and you have to protect him. It’s disappointing. Obviously, the other team is being told to do dirty stuff after the play, hitting him a certain way. It’s obviously being told by how they have treated him the last couple of weeks. A lot of shots to the head. It’s very disappointing seeing a guy like that take hits like that.

“One of those hits, God forbid, could be something very bad. I think the league needs to get on that and notice that. It’s bad.”

Bears’ Jaquan Brisker had harsh criticism for NFL refs not adequately protecting Justin Fields

Chiefs players weren’t the only ones who had a bone to pick with league officiating after Sunday’s games.

Third-year quarterback Justin Fields had a rough start to the 2023 season, but since returning from injury in Week 11, he’s led the Chicago Bears to two wins in three outings.

Fields has been shaky at times in his career passing the ball, though he’s made some strides down the stretch this season. Where he’s a real threat, however, is running the ball.

He rushed for more than 1,100 yards in 2022, and he’s already at 458 yards and two touchdowns on the ground this season. But that kind of usage hasn’t come without a cost.

Fields has missed four games this season with a dislocated right thumb, and while injuries can come with the territory of being a mobile quarterback, Chicago safety Jaquan Brisker echoed the sentiments of many Bears fans in saying that the officials are not doing enough to protect Fields from hard hits after the play is dead.

Brisker wasn’t the only player who took issue with league officiating this weekend, and the instinct to protect his quarterback, who has the Bears at 5-8 after a 1-5 start to the season, is certainly understandable.

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker posts cryptic tweet following Jaylon Johnson’s trade request

Bears safety Jaquan Brisker posted a cryptic tweet that appeared to voice his displeasure with the Jaylon Johnson situation.

The Chicago Bears have granted cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s trade request, which comes after the two sides weren’t able to agree to a contract extension ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.

Last week, Johnson said contract negotiations had picked back up after his impressive two-interception game. Unfortunately, it sounds like both sides weren’t able to find common ground, which led Johnson to request a trade late Monday night.

Someone who probably isn’t happy with how the Bears are handling things is safety Jaquan Brisker, who took to X (formerly Twitter) with a cryptic tweet that appeared to voice his displeasure with the Johnson situation.

If the Bears trade Johnson before the 3 p.m. CT deadline, he’ll be the second defensive leader in as many years to be traded away. Chicago traded linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens last year, and the team didn’t win another game for the remainder of the season — heck, until Week 5 of the 2023 season.

General manager Ryan Poles is sending a message to the rest of the Bears locker room — and it’s not a positive one. Johnson has been one of the team’s best defensive players — and one of the best cover corners in the NFL this season — and Poles isn’t prepared to sign him long term.

With the trade deadline just hours away, we’ll soon know for sure whether Johnson will finish the season as a Bear or if he’s played his last down for Chicago.

Matt Eberflus details ‘unique’ situation where Bears’ Jaquan Brisker landed back in concussion protocol 

Jaquan Brisker cleared concussion protocol early last week. Bears HC Matt Eberflus describes how Brisker landed back in the protocol.

Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker battled an illness last week, which kept him sidelined in Sunday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Head coach Matt Eberflus detailed the “unique” situation involving Brisker, who initially cleared concussion protocol following a Week 7 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. He checked out fine Monday and Tuesday with the independent neurologist.

But Brisker later reported a fever and didn’t feel well. While Brisker improved Saturday, the symptoms returned, and the Bears ultimately ruled him out. But Brisker still felt off, so he was re-evaluated and is now back in concussion protocol.

“I’ve never had that happen before,” Eberflus said. “But he got ill during that process and then when he was done being ill he still had the symptoms.”

It’s certainly a “unique” situation, as Eberflus described, and it’s something worth monitoring heading into this Week 9 contest against the New Orleans Saints.

Chicago was without both Brisker and Eddie Jackson, who was available but didn’t play, against the Chargers. The hope is at least one of them will ready to go. Otherwise, it’ll be Elijah Hicks and Duron Harmon getting the starting nods once again.